Coupling member configured for use with surgical devices

Abstract

A surgical apparatus is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a surgical actuating device including a shaft having supporting a first coupling member. The first coupling member includes one or more pairs of apertures. The reload includes a second coupling member including a locking assembly. The second coupling member includes a pair of spring pins positionable within the pair of apertures. The spring pins being movable from an inward position to a radial outward position. The locking assembly includes a lock plate that is moveable from a first position located between the spring pins to a second position spaced from the spring pins. In the radial outward position, the spring pins are received within the apertures of the first coupling member to secure the reload to the surgical actuating member and when the lock plate is in the first position, the reload cannot be separated from the surgical actuating device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical apparatus comprising:
 a surgical actuating device including a shaft having a distal end supporting a first coupling member, the first coupling member including at least one pair of apertures; and 
 a reload including a tool assembly, the reload including a second coupling member including a locking assembly, the second coupling member including a pair of spring pins that are positioned to be received within the at least one pair of apertures, the spring pins being movable from an inward position to a radial outward position, the locking assembly including a lock plate that is moveable from a first position located between the spring pins to prevent movement of the spring pins from the radial outward position to the inward position to a second position spaced from the spring pins, wherein in the radial outward position the spring pins are received within the apertures of the first coupling member to secure the reload to the surgical actuating member and wherein when the lock plate is in the first position, the reload cannot be separated from the surgical actuating device. 
 
     
     
       2. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second coupling member includes an axle for supporting at least one spring and the pair of spring pins, the at least one spring positioned between the pair of spring pins and configured to bias the pair of spring pins to the radial outward position. 
     
     
       3. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the spring pins of the second coupling member includes a tapered outer peripheral edge, wherein contact between the tapered outer edges of the spring pins and an outer edge of the first coupling member cams the spring pins inwardly against the bias of the at least one spring. 
     
     
       4. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the lock plate includes a clevis at a top portion thereof. 
     
     
       5. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the clevis is configured to connect to a proximal end of a plunger of the locking assembly. 
     
     
       6. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling member includes at least two pairs of apertures, each of the pairs of apertures configured to engage the pair of spring pins. 
     
     
       7. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least two pairs of apertures are oriented orthogonally in relation to one another. 
     
     
       8. The surgical apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical actuating device is electromechanically actuated. 
     
     
       9. A surgical apparatus comprising:
 a surgical actuating device including a shaft having a distal end supporting a first coupling member, the first coupling member including at least one pair of apertures; and 
 a reload including a tool assembly, the reload including a second coupling member including a locking assembly, the second coupling member including a pair of spring pins that are positioned to be received within the at least one pair of apertures, the spring pins being movable from an inward position to a radial outward position, the locking assembly including a lock plate that is moveable from a first position located between the spring pins to prevent movement of the spring pins from the radial outward position to the inward position to a second position spaced from the spring pins, wherein in the radial outward position the spring pins are received within the apertures of the first coupling member to secure the reload to the surgical actuating member and wherein when the lock plate is in the first position, the reload cannot be separated from the surgical actuating device, wherein the lock plate includes at least one hinge that pivotably couples the lock plate to an internal surface of the tool assembly of the reload. 
 
     
     
       10. A surgical apparatus comprising:
 a surgical actuating device including a shaft having a distal end supporting a first coupling member, the first coupling member including at least one pair of apertures; and 
 a reload including a tool assembly, the reload including a second coupling member including a locking assembly, the second coupling member including a pair of spring pins that are positioned to be received within the at least one pair of apertures, the spring pins being movable from an inward position to a radial outward position, the locking assembly including a lock plate that is moveable from a first position located between the spring pins to prevent movement of the spring pins from the radial outward position to the inward position to a second position spaced from the spring pins, wherein in the radial outward position the spring pins are received within the apertures of the first coupling member to secure the reload to the surgical actuating member and wherein when the lock plate is in the first position, the reload cannot be separated from the surgical actuating device, wherein the lock plate includes a clevis at a top portion thereof, the clevis being configured to connect to a proximal end of a plunger of the locking assembly, and wherein the plunger supports a spring for biasing the lock plate into engagement with the pair of spring pins when a knife of a cartridge of the tool assembly is fired.